Book Club #60: Ciaphas Cain: Caves of Ice by Sandy Mitchell

Every two weeks we read a new book in the WH40k universe and discuss it on our podcast. We invite you to read along with us and join in on our conversation via comments, Twitter, email, or vox cast.

For this episode we just can’t quit Ciaphas Cain, and are reading Ciaphas Cain: Caves of Ice by Sandy Mitchell. You can purchase it on Amazon or Black Library or Audible.

From the back of the book:

On the ice world of Simia Orichalcae a spate of mysterious disappearances is causing unrest amongst the mine-workers, and, as senior officer of the Astra Militarum, Commissar Ciaphas Cain is nominated to investigate. Unbeknownst to him, the planet is right in the path of a major ork incursion and, as the savage greenskins attack, a malevolent evil begins to stir deep in the ice caves.

Questions to ponder after reading Caves of Ice: 

• Did you like the book?
• What parts stood out?
• Once again the book is presented in three narratives: Cain’s, Vail’s, and the “historians.” Does this format still work for you? What do you think of the varying voices?
• How do you like Cain two books in? Do you still believe him a coward? Is he an effective commissar?
• Were you surprised about the Mechanicus’s involvement? What are the implications of their work?
• This book has EVERYTHING. Was it too much? Just right?